Ways to Improve Relationships With Your Patients

For most people, visits to their dental care provider are the most frequent healthcare visits they have. Interactions with their dental health team influence how they feel not just about your practice, but in their medical care overall. It’s a privilege (and responsibility), to take seriously!

Dentistry is built on relationships, and there are many things you can do to cultivate these connections with your patients. So here are a few ways you can make these bonds run a bit deeper!  It will not only improve the bottom line of your business but will improve their care experience, as well. #PatientLove

Send a Note

You might already be sending a Birthday Card on your patients’ special day, but there are other opportunities to drop a note as well! Dropping a line on holidays is a great way to stay connected and top-of-mind. You can opt for email instead of snail mail, and consider sharing news from your office, or special offers on procedures like whitening and product sales. The key here is personalization (you can automate outreach with first names included). It’s a great way to get your patients thinking of your practice between visits!

“Personalized” Messages

How are you currently sending your recall reminders? Mailed-card? Email? There are many great ways to communicate and connect! Here’s a new option to try: Consider sending automated “personalized” text messages as a follow-up to encourage scheduling a recall visit. This can be simple and short, but helps humanize your practice and makes your team feel like a true care partner.

“Hi Luke, it’s Dr. Walker’s office. We noticed that you’re due for cleaning early next month, and wanted to see if we could help find a time that works for you! Let us know if you have a date in mind. Hope you’re doing well.”

Develop Trust

The best way to develop a relationship with patients is through honesty and kindness at their appointments, and in all interactions, you have with them. Be clear with what you’re doing during procedures, and why you’re doing them. Provide options for procedures when possible, so your patients feel like active participants in their care. Ultimately, it’s the personal contact that occurs between patients and the staff and medical team, that will influence how your patient feels about their experience, and whether they decide to continue with a “relationship” with your practice.